Flynn Group is also planning to open a half dozen new Wendy’s units this year. | Photo: Shutterstock.
Flynn Group LP is adding more Wendy’s restaurants into its growing portfolio.
The San Francisco-based franchise operator said Thursday it has acquired 83 Wendy’s units in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The deal will bring to 277 the number of Wendy’s restaurants operated by the group across six states and Washington, D.C.
Greg Flynn, the franchise group’s founder and CEO, declined to reveal the seller.
However, one of the largest operators of Wendy’s in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is The Briad Group. The company did not immediately respond to questions about a potential sale.
For Flynn, however, the move reflects “an ongoing effort to rebalance ourselves toward quick service” and he plans to add more Wendy’s to the group’s holdings.
“Wendy’s is a wonderful brand,” he said. “We’re excited to grow specifically with Wendy’s.”
Flynn Group operates more than 2,800 restaurants across six restaurant brands: Applebee’s, Arby’s, Taco Bell, Panera, Pizza Hut, and Wendy’s. The group also owns Planet Fitness locations. As a whole, the operator generates about $5 billion in sales.
Wendy’s has been a specific target of late. Flynn first invested in Wendy’s as a franchisee three years ago with the acquisition of 190 units in the U.S.
Last year, Flynn Group signed a master franchise agreement in Australia to develop 200 restaurants over the next 10 years—and Flynn said the first is scheduled to open there before the end of the year.
Earlier this year, the group acquired 21 Wendy’s in New Zealand, where more growth is also planned. Flynn Group is now the sole Wendy’s franchise operator for both countries.
And Flynn said the group will also open new Wendy’s units in the U.S., with a half dozen restaurants expected to open domestically this year.
Flynn Group’s Wendy’s business will continue to be led by Brand President Rasheeda Clark, who joined the company in 2022.
Like many quick-service chains, the Dublin, Ohio-based franchisor reported weakened guest counts in the second quarter, with traffic down 2%.
Flynn, however, said his Wendy’s restaurants have not seen the consumer slowdown other brands have reported.
“For us, sales and profit have held up quite well,” he said.
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